U.S. State Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) is scheduled to provide sworn testimony regarding his awareness of allegations against Dr. Richard Strauss, a former physician at Ohio State University, where the alleged abuses took place. This deposition is set to occur in Washington, D.C., and is expected to last a minimum of seven hours.
Jordan, who was an assistant wrestling coach at Ohio State from 1987 to 1995, coincides historically with the period during which Strauss was employed by the university. Notably, multiple survivors have accused Jordan of being aware of the abuses faced by student-athletes and failing to report them. However, Jordan has persistently denied these accusations, and this deposition will be the first instance in which his account will be legally documented.
The investigation into Dr. Strauss revealed that he abused at least 177 male students between 1979 and 1996 while serving within the Athletics Department and the campus Student Health Center. The revelations of this abuse have generated significant public discourse, putting a spotlight on the accountability of individuals who had the opportunity to intervene.
In a related development, former Ohio State Athletic Director Andy Geiger was also deposed, with the session lasting approximately eight hours. Court documents indicate that during the 1994-95 season, two wrestlers expressed concerns directly to Geiger about voyeurism and inappropriate behavior by Strauss and others at the wrestling facility. Geiger, however, stated he had no recollection of these meetings or complaints, despite acknowledging discussions with former wrestling coach Russ Hellickson regarding voyeurism issues in the showers.
The upcoming testimony from Jordan could offer crucial insights into the broader narrative of accountability in sports and the institutional responses to allegations of abuse. As the community continues to grapple with these past events, there is hope that such legal processes will lead to justice and a greater emphasis on safeguarding student welfare moving forward.